Dean of Academics (2026-2027 SY)

Ambition Preparatory Charter School; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition Preparatory Charter School in Jackson, MS is seeking a Dean of Academics to lead instructional quality and student outcomes. You will partner with the principal to oversee K-8 academic programs, standards alignment, and teacher coaching.

You will coach teachers, review lesson plans and assessments, guide curriculum design using backward design, and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. This role demands strong leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to equity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; relocation to Jackson, MS if applicable.
• Leadership experience: minimum 2 years; proven ability to manage teams.
• School leader or administrator certification/degree required.
• Experience coaching teachers and designing curriculum.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local K-12 and charter requirements preferred.
• Strong computer skills including Google Suite.

Responsibilities

• Maintain relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Promote strong staff and student culture.
• Manage behavior systems and school operations.
• Collaborate with leadership to select candidates and promote diversity.
• Coach teachers with observations and feedback; improve instructional practice.
• Oversee curriculum design using backward design and alignment to standards.

Skills

Leadership experience

Coaching teachers

Curriculum design

Google Suite proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

School leader certification

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Background of the Organization

Ambition Preparatory Charter School is deeply committed to ensuring that every student in grades K-8 receives the high-quality education they deserve. Our mission is to provide students with the academic skills and self-discipline needed for college and life success through high-quality instruction, intensive academic supports, and hard work. We are a new college preparatory elementary and middle school serving the students of Jackson, MS.

• Maintain positive ongoing relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Promote strong staff and student culture.
• Manage school-wide character development and behavior management systems that maximize instructional time and reroutes student behavior back into the instructional time frame
• Support teachers in understanding processes and roles in student support and intervention.
• Manage parts of daily school operations(i.e. arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, etc.)
• Collaborate with the leadership team and stakeholders to promote diversity and consistency in candidate selection.
• Build own and teachers’ instructional knowledge of standards, content, and instructional methods.
• Provide high-quality instructional & cultural coaching with consistent teacher observations, actionable feedback, and accountability for adjustment in practice to develop the understanding of academic standards
• Coach emerging leaders on instructional coaching practice.
• Implement strategies that focus on instructional practices & design, culture, and progress monitoring as it corresponds to the improvement and enhancement of student success
• Serve as a coach to teachers by providing expert advice on improving and enhancing individual lessons and units based on ongoing analysis. This will include, but is not limited to:
• Reviewing lesson plans, unit plans, and assessments.
• Understanding scope and sequence models.
• Observing classroom instruction and offering comprehensive analysis and feedback.
• Providing instructional strategies as needed.
• Supporting the implementation of curriculum, using the backward design model and advising scope and sequence based on essential content knowledge that addresses local, state, and national standards.

Dean of Academics

Reports to: School Principal

Location: Jackson, MS

Hours: Full-time

Certification: Recommended

Background of the Organization

Ambition Preparatory Charter School is deeply committed to ensuring that every student in grades K-8 receives the high-quality education they deserve. Our mission is to provide students with the academic skills and self-discipline needed for college and life success through high-quality instruction, intensive academic supports, and hard work. We are a new college preparatory elementary and middle school serving the students of Jackson, MS.

Responsibilities And Duties

• Maintain positive ongoing relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Promote strong staff and student culture.
• Manage school-wide character development and behavior management systems that maximize instructional time and reroutes student behavior back into the instructional time frame
• Support teachers in understanding processes and roles in student support and intervention.
• Manage parts of daily school operations(i.e. arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, etc.)
• Collaborate with the leadership team and stakeholders to promote diversity and consistency in candidate selection.
• Build own and teachers’ instructional knowledge of standards, content, and instructional methods.
• Provide high-quality instructional & cultural coaching with consistent teacher observations, actionable feedback, and accountability for adjustment in practice to develop the understanding of academic standards
• Coach emerging leaders on instructional coaching practice.
• Implement strategies that focus on instructional practices & design, culture, and progress monitoring as it corresponds to the improvement and enhancement of student success
• Serve as a coach to teachers by providing expert advice on improving and enhancing individual lessons and units based on ongoing analysis. This will include, but is not limited to:
• Reviewing lesson plans, unit plans, and assessments.
• Understanding scope and sequence models.
• Observing classroom instruction and offering comprehensive analysis and feedback.
• Providing instructional strategies as needed.
• Supporting the implementation of curriculum, using the backward design model and advising scope and sequence based on essential content knowledge that addresses local, state, and national standards.

Requirements

To be a part of the Ambition Prep team, it is required that all candidates possess an unwavering commitment to Ambition Prep’s mission, students, families and community through the implementation of policies and procedures. You must share the belief that every student can learn at an advanced level regardless of race, culture, or socioeconomic status. It is required that you have the ability to efficiently adapt in an ambiguous, fast-paced, start-up environment. Candidates must be team oriented and can display a professional level of a growth mindset, maturity, flexibility, promptness, commitment, and organization. Each candidate must also be receptive to constructive feedback with the ability to remodel positive behavior precisely and effectively keeping the common goal of every student in mind.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, required
• Master’s degree, preferred
• Able to relocate to Jackson, MS, required (relocation assistance available)
• School leader or administrator certification and/or degree, required
• A successful background check in compliance with state law is required.
• Strong computer skills, including familiarity with Google Suite.
• Experience managing a team, coaching teachers, and/or designing a curriculum.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience, required
• Detailed knowledge of federal, state, and local requirements for K-12 schools and charter schools preferred

Compensation

Ambition Preparatory Charter School offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience. Ambition Preparatory Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Disclaimer: This job description describes the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals hired into this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Ambition Prep reserves the right to change any or all content of this job description based on business needs.